Recruiting: Athletes Make It Official

Heritage High forward Sonia Johnson blotted her eyes and passed the tissue to teammate Bonae Holston, who then wiped her eyes and passed it to Brittany Thorpe.

When Johnson saw that Shaneka Lee and Erica McKeithan also were getting teary-eyed, Johnson looked to the side and said, "We need more tissue."

Emotions ran high Wednesday at the news conference at Heritage as five players signed national letters of intent to play basketball at Division I schools on the first day of the NCAA's early signing period, which runs through Nov. 21. The late signing period is April 16-May 21.

In addition to the Heritage group, at least 20 area athletes signed scholarships for boys and girls basketball, volleyball, swimming and baseball.

Johnson, the Peninsula District Player of the Year last season, signed with Delaware State. Holston signed with North Carolina State, Thorpe with Wagner, McKeithan with Fairleigh Dickinson and Lee with Norfolk State.

"I just got emotional because a lot of people can't get scholarships," Johnson said. "It's a blessing. I don't take it for granted."

Said Holston: "It just makes it a lot more fun to play with such talented players."

Added McKeithan: "I'm relieved and excited about what's going to happen in the future. This group has accomplished a lot."

Since 2004, the Hurricanes have won 80 percent of their games and posted three 20-win seasons. Last season, they made the school's first appearance in the Group AAA state semifinals.

"We're like a family here," Thorpe said. "We're always around each other. I just love playing with them."

Added Lee: "We're definitely all tight, and to be able to share this with all of them is special."

Heritage coach Michael Gardner said that getting players into colleges is priority No. 1 for him and his staff.

"We want to win championships like any other coach," Gardner said. "But I'm fine with just getting them into school."

Added Holston: "I was thinking back about all the times we've been together. I know there will be many more to come."

With that said, and with signatures out of the way, the Canes are fully focused on making another run at the state tournament.

"We've been working really hard," Johnson said.

"We're just looking forward to the season."

SIGNINGS

* Sonia Johnson, Heritage, girls basketball, Delaware State.

* Bonae Holston, Heritage, girls basketball, N.C. State.

* Brittany Thorpe, Heritage, girls basketball, Wagner.

* Erica McKeithan, Heritage, girls basketball, Fairleigh Dickinson.

* Shaneka Lee, Heritage, girls basketball, Norfolk State.

* Denyse Moore, Woodside, girls basketball, Delaware State.

* She'la White, Norfolk Collegiate, girls basketball, North Carolina.

* David Baroum, Bethel, boys basketball, La Salle.

* Ali Djim, Bethel, boys basketball, Duquesne.

* Mbai Oliver, Bethel, boys basketball, Clemson.

* Andre Jones, Nansemond River, boys basketball, Winthrop.

* Nick Wright, Nansemond River, boys basketball, Old Dominion.

* Darius Conley, Heritage, boys basketball, Saint Peter's.

* Will Lamb, York, baseball, Clemson.

* Adam McConnell, Tabb, baseball, Richmond.

* Cody Brown, Tabb, baseball, High Point.

* Shawn Sizemore, Menchville, baseball, Old Dominion.

* Christopher McDougal, Denbigh, baseball, Liberty.

* Kizuku Scott, Bethel, baseball, Liberty.

* Alison Blasingame, Grafton, volleyball, Virginia Tech.

* Cody Kennedy, Menchville, volleyball, St. Francis (Pa.).

* Matt Baumler, Lafayette, swimming, Virginia Tech.

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To notify us of any additional signings, please e-mail lburke@dailypress.com.